"It was very painful, but I could've gone back in if I had to," Appling said.

Appling was knocked out of a February game against Minnesota when his right shoulder popped in and out. MSU trainers told CBS that the shoulder did not pop out and that Appling could have returned to Saturday’s game, but coach Tom Izzo, with a double-digit lead, played it safe.

He is expected to be ready for the Spartans’ Sweet 16 game Friday in Indianapolis against the Duke-Creighton winner.